Monday, January 14, 2013

This Is How It Starts...

Would you believe me if I told you my interest in green came a few months before Pantone declared emerald as the color of the year? It started with the remnant roll of smokey green fabric I found. Then I peeled off the book cover of California Country Style and was even more smitten. A bit lighter than the fabric, it's very similar to the green in these Jasperware glasses I love. So combined with a growing fatigue with the last five years of dark brown walls in my library/dining room, I'm planning a change.

So up went some sample patches of Farrow & Ball Calke Green and I think I'm about to take the plunge. From BM North Creek Brown to a strong green - keeping all the trim and built-in bookcases in the room white.

Dark brown curtains will be replaced with something much lighter - maybe even a pattern. The dining table and metal console are no longer here (these are old pics), replaced with our original dining table.

When you are standing in the room looking at the vista through the windows the green walls will bring the outdoors in. Your dining room furniture will look so much richer in tone..... especially if you cover the seats in a creamy white like the trim.

This is a wonderful Farrow&Ball green! My personal style is "Classic with a Twist" and I have always loved the colors of Imari porcelain. I must be "ahead " of the curve (or so I like to think!) - so I chose a lush Emerald green velvet for the tufted Chesterfield sofa in the library of my 1901 house. The walls are c. 1930 English knotty pine. Rich, warm and enveloping. Thrilled to hear that Emerald is...back!

No, you are NOT crazy! This is a beautiful green and I am delighted to see that you are willing to make a change, even though you loved the brown when you painted the dining room previously. Paint is just paint but color??? She is Queen and the Ruler over all of my design decisions!!!

I'm new to your blog, but want to tell you how much I love, love, the green in your pics. I had a chocolate brown room for years, did love it, but you're ahead of the curve in trying the greens you've put up. Emerald goes sophisticated!